Inspired by her mother’s struggle with throat cancer, Janice Kafka, 47, a Medfield resident, has devoted the past nine years of her life to raising cancer awareness.

Kafka’s mother lost the struggle with cancer at age 47, when Janice was 23. At that time, treatment options were limited and cancer research was in its infancy.

Through the experience with her mother, Kafka had always been interested in raising awareness for cancer and wanted to participate in furthering cancer research and supporting local treatment fundraisers.

Angela Kearns

Inspired by her mother’s struggle with throat cancer, Janice Kafka, 47, a Medfield resident, has devoted the past nine years of her life to raising cancer awareness.

Kafka’s mother lost the struggle with cancer at age 47, when Janice was 23. At that time, treatment options were limited and cancer research was in its infancy.

Through the experience with her mother, Kafka had always been interested in raising awareness for cancer and wanted to participate in furthering cancer research and supporting local treatment fundraisers.

The main fundraiser that Kafka participates in is the Pan-Mass Challenge. The annual cycling event is a 200-mile bike ride held on the first weekend in August. People travel from around the world to participate in the event. Each year, the funds raised from the Pan-Mass Challenge are donated to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

On day one of this two-day event, the riders start in Sturbridge and end in Bourne; the next day, riders traverse Cape Cod, from Bourne to Provincetown.

Kafka became involved in fundraising and participating in events nine years ago, when the timing was right in her life. Her three daughters were getting older, and she knew she could devote some of her time to an effort she always wanted to support. She’s ridden in the challenge annually ever since.

“Every year, I expect the ride to be very challenging,” Kafka says. “It is more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge. I just put my mind to it and keep optimistic. I have a goal in mind. Peddling a bike for two days is far less challenging than what people go through battling cancer.”

To prepare for the Pan-Mass Challenge, Kafka begins her training in April. She is employed at two local gyms, teaching spinning classes. She teaches at the Kingsbury Club in Medfield, and also at Gold’s Gym in Millis. Kafka can’t think of a better way to support a cause than to incorporate it into her passion for spinning. Her spinning classes help prepare for the challenge.

Kafka also works as a sales representative for Kokoon, a women’s contemporary clothing line. For the past three years, Kafka has sold tickets for a fashion show sponsored by Kokoon, and has donated all of the proceeds to the Pan-Mass Challenge. Her friends help in the fashion show by volunteering to model the clothes. The fashion show is held in May. This year, Kafka accomplished a personal best for fundraising around the event, bringing in $7,000.

“It is personally gratifying to contribute to a cause that is important to me,” Kafka says. “By my participation, I help raise awareness.”

Kafka’s three daughters also participated in a fundraising event for cancer awareness a few years ago. Similar to the Pan-Mass Challenge, her daughters went on a 15-mile bike ride to support the cause.

“Most people have been touched by cancer in some way, either through a personal experience or by someone close to us. Fundraising events increase personal awareness,” Kafka says.

When Kafka writes letters to family and friends asking for donations, she always mentions her mother’s experience with throat cancer. “Whenever I ride, it’s in the memory of my mother,” she says.

Angela Kearns can be reached at medfield@wickedlocal.com. Follow this story on Twitter @medfieldpress.